India’s Central Public Works Department (CPWD) is likely to construct a border fence between Oman and Yemen after two Indian agencies were shortlisted, Indian media has reported.

The tip-off comes after the Oman government approached the South Asian nation to avoid stoking controversy and qualified CPWD and Engineering Projects India Ltd (EPIL) in a secret bidding.

Government officials told The Times of India that CPWD had quoted just over $300m for the 288km-long fence work, which is likely to be completed within four years. One official said: “We have a good track record in installation of fences along borders. It's a prestigious project for us.”

CPWD had earlier presented its expertise to an official delegation from Oman on the installation of fences, lights and electrified barbed wires along India’s eastern and western frontiers.

Oman wants to fence its international border adjoining Yemen with a view to reducing the risk posed by armed militants in the neighbouring country from spilling over the Sultanate’s border.

If the CPWD lands the Oman deal, it will coincide with the agency’s project to build Afghanistan’s new parliament, which began in 2005 but has been delayed by the volatile security situation in the country.